Cost of Living in Playa del Coco - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,025 (excluding rent), and $1,801 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,504 (excluding rent), and $3,588 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16 ₡8,009

$9 ₡4,506

$17 ₡8,513

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.3 ₡40.2K

$52.2 ₡26.1K

$88.4 ₡44.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.53 ₡4,272

$8.19 ₡4,100

$10.23 ₡5,122

Cappuccino

$6.79 ₡3,398

$4.85 ₡2,427

$9.7 ₡4,858

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.45 ₡1,226

$1.81 ₡907

$3.02 ₡1,510

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.94 ₡971

$1.53 ₡765

$2.45 ₡1,227

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.22 ₡1,613

$2.96 ₡1,484

$4.94 ₡2,475

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.81 ₡2,907

$3.48 ₡1,743

$5.84 ₡2,922

Milk (1 liter)

$2.53 ₡1,266

$2.48 ₡1,241

$2.58 ₡1,291

White Bread (500g)

$2.78 ₡1,392

$1.22 ₡610

$4.49 ₡2,249

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.24 ₡1,123

$1.83 ₡918

$4.08 ₡2,040

Eggs

$2.87 ₡1,438

$1.93 ₡967

$4.63 ₡2,317

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.59 ₡4,298

$5.05 ₡2,528

$12.12 ₡6,068

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.75 ₡6,384

$11.77 ₡5,890

$13.73 ₡6,872

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.92 ₡6,968

$10.13 ₡5,072

$16.2 ₡8,110

Apples (1kg)

$5.16 ₡2,582

$3.19 ₡1,595

$8.66 ₡4,337

Banana (1kg)

$1.67 ₡835

$0.68 ₡338

$2.69 ₡1,348

Oranges (1kg)

$4.38 ₡2,190

$2.04 ₡1,023

$6.13 ₡3,070

Tomato (1kg)

$1.62 ₡811

$0.79 ₡396

$2.46 ₡1,231

Potato (1kg)

$3.35 ₡1,677

$1.89 ₡948

$6.9 ₡3,454

Onion (1kg)

$3.03 ₡1,518

$2.02 ₡1,010

$4.61 ₡2,310

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 ₡490

$0.85 ₡425

$1.37 ₡687

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.96 ₡1,479

$2.04 ₡1,022

$3.57 ₡1,788

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.03 ₡2,518

$4.03 ₡2,016

$5.64 ₡2,822

Wine (Bottle)

$25.42 ₡12.7K

$24.92 ₡12.5K

$25.92 ₡13K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 ₡1,046

$1.85 ₡924

$2.33 ₡1,168

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.53 ₡1,269

$2.02 ₡1,010

$5.43 ₡2,718

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.2 ₡603

$0.81 ₡405

$1.61 ₡806

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.06 ₡1,530

$2.04 ₡1,022

$4.08 ₡2,044

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.8 ₡899

$1.36 ₡681

$2.34 ₡1,170

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.55 ₡3,780

$6.77 ₡3,387

$8.57 ₡4,288

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.89 ₡947

$1.51 ₡754

$2.15 ₡1,075

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$40.7K ₡20.4M

$39.5K ₡19.8M

$43.1K ₡21.6M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$31K ₡15.5M

$33.1K ₡16.6M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$173 ₡86.4K

$98.6 ₡49.4K

$246 ₡123.4K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$25.47 ₡12.8K

$19.55 ₡9,789

$48.89 ₡24.5K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.8 ₡29.9K

$49.82 ₡24.9K

$69.8 ₡34.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.8 ₡27.9K

$39.05 ₡19.5K

$78.1 ₡39.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.17 ₡10.6K

$7.06 ₡3,534

$21.17 ₡10.6K

Cinema Ticket

$9.22 ₡4,617

$6.45 ₡3,230

$13.83 ₡6,923

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$560 ₡280.4K

$424 ₡212.3K

$986 ₡493.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.5K ₡6.2M

$6,354 ₡3.2M

$19.2K ₡9.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.7 ₡29.9K

$38.01 ₡19K

$114 ₡57.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.2 ₡28.1K

$43.65 ₡21.9K

$76 ₡38K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$143 ₡71.5K

$101 ₡50.8K

$169 ₡84.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$115 ₡57.4K

$53.1 ₡26.6K

$170 ₡85.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$754 ₡377.6K

$490 ₡245.5K

$1,184 ₡592.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$604 ₡302.5K

$363 ₡181.5K

$806 ₡403.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,492 ₡746.8K

$882 ₡441.4K

$1,764 ₡883K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$963 ₡482.1K

$596 ₡298.6K

$1,199 ₡600.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$297 ₡148.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$684 ₡342.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.17

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

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Cost of Living in Playa del Coco - Frequently Asked Questions

Playa del Coco, Costa Rica tends to offer a comfortable balance for those chasing sun, services, and reasonable costs. You’ll find that everyday items, dining, and short-term rentals can be more approachable than in high-end resort towns, while still delivering beach access and decent infrastructure. Cost of Living in Playa del Coco, Costa Rica matters if you’re balancing work and play: expect affordable local eateries, flexible apartment options, and seasonal variation in prices tied to tourism. Plan around the quieter months to stretch your budget. Tip: map out a simple monthly split for housing, groceries, and co-working to stay on track.

Daily life centers on a relaxed beach tempo with practical options for housing, food, and work. Housing comes as studios and 1–2 bedroom rentals near the coast or inland, often with flexible lease terms – start with month-to-month listings to test neighborhoods. Grocery options range from local mercados to mid-size supermarkets; you can save by cooking at home and planning meals. For transport, walking, bikes, buses, and taxis cover most needs, while coworking spaces provide reliable work spots near the shore. Playa del Coco, Costa Rica living cost varies with season. Tip: build a simple weekly budget that allocates housing, groceries, and occasional activities.

Quality of life here revolves around balance: sun, sea, and sensible routines. To budget effectively, use a simple framework: fixed housing costs, flexible groceries, and set aside funds for occasional activities or trips to nearby towns. Seasonality matters: during peak months, expect higher casual dining crowds but more opportunities for events; off-season can bring quieter streets and better deals on longer stays. Neighborhood fit varies – from lively beachfront strips to quieter inland pockets – so visit at different times to gauge noise, access, and convenience. Visualize your week with a mix of work blocks, outdoor time, and social plans. Tip: join an expat or remote worker community to swap tips.